Around the globe in (almost) 360 days

Millin’ in Milan

If Milan were a country, it would be the 28th largest economy in the world. It’s Italy’s largest city and the country’s commercial hub, as well as an international giant in the world of design and fashion.

But as a tourist destination, it’s not exactly brimming with attractions in the same way that Italy’s other cities are. There’s the gorgeous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, reputed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall (see if you can find the McDonald’s there in the pics below). Right next door is the aptly named Milan Cathedral, the fourth largest in the world and admittedly grandiose. And then there’s the tough-looking Sforza Castle just a few blocks away.

Unless, of course, you have a hefty spending account, in which case Milan’s collection of high-end fashion shops and boutiques is quite the draw and the perfect locale to hobnob with the rich and stylish. Overall, though, the sense one gets from the city is one of busy, no-nonsense work and industry, a far cry from the laid-back misty gondola rides of Venice to the east.

Gabriel, I lived there for a while at a very young age. I was an apprentice photographer at a adver/fashion studio. Weekends were spent walking around taking pictures, any picture of anything, rolls and rolls of TRI-X after rolls and rolls. I have converted some of those negatives to digital, and I then revisited them and those times. Your description of Milano as it is today is fairly accurate. Very different from the 60’s. I have photos of the area by the cathedral that you describe, with demonstrators, police and tear gas.
very different indeed.